Concerns over Russia where economic growth dropped

With a 3.7% decrease in its GDP for the year 2015 and the 127%fall of the value of its national currency, the ruble, against the US dollar over the last two years, Russia would be, according to media, on the brink of economic collapse and western sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict would play a central role in such circumstances.

Russia would also suffer from the ongoing fall in oil and natural gas prices, its two main profit sources, especially for the state’s budget. The Russian government is said to launch a $1.25 billion anti-crisis plan deemed too weak by analysts who wondered too about the simultaneity of both media pessimism about the Russian economy and the broadcasting of a BBC reportaccusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of having a $40 billion net worth.